Ac replacement

[CharlesinGA]

I just replaced my A/C, a Dometic Penguin (2007/8 vintage) and it had broken a refrigerant line that connected to the condenser. It is not ducted however. Given that the Penguin sounds as loud as a jet engine running, and uses R22 which is restricted and very expensive, it basically is scrap. It doesn't make sense to put several hundred dollars into an A/C unit that can be replaced for about the same money. Rec Pro handles the Houghton units and they do make 15K btu ducted units but they are much more expensive.

I replaced it with a Houghton as they are much quieter and in my case, a shorter, smaller, lighter unit.

I briefly looked at the Advent line of units but was pretty settled on the Houghton.

Etrailer carries the full line of Advent units and some replace certain models of other brands making use of the original interior intake and controls, so I would talk with an expert at Etrailer about the exact unit you have and which one would best replace it with the least hassles.

One option may be to install a simple two wire thermostat on the furnace and a separate thermostat on the A/C, In some cases you may be able to make the two talk to each other. A thermostat that controls has wiring running to the roof unit, and then to the furnace. Lots of discussion about this on the Escape forum as they were wired with one thermostat controlling both.

Charles

 

[8Muddypaws]

My Coleman had two run capacitors and a separate start capacitor. I replaced all three because I didn't want to be in 110F with only one AC unit. Still cheap.

In my case it was obvious which one burned but that's not always true. The other two cans were slightly scorched.

 

[Henry J Fate]

I have actually already replaced the capacitor, that was the first thing I went to. Also, I apologize it's the compressor that doesn't ever kick on. Just blows air. My brain is all over the place between working 12-16 hour shifts, packing to move and fixing my camper. So much going on with so little time!

The compressor is a component of the condensing unit.

If the compressor is not turning on, there is a reason for the failure. It is always helpful to get that question answered however, maybe you have decided just to replace it and be done with it. Sometimes it is a better approach than to have a qualified tech spending your money to tell you that it is no good and why but, I can also say that if the compressor is not internally damaged and the system is still holding the specified amount of refrigerant, it would most likely be much easier and worth it to fix what you have. Those two clues require a good trained air conditioning tech to answer and is usually done prior to installing any new parts.

 

[John From Detroit]

Air conditioners look heavy but most weight in at less than 100 pounds (90 is common)

I used to go up a ladder with up to 3 60 pound bundles of shingles at one time (180 pounds)
I don't recommend that.. but I did it.

Last A/C replacement on mine they had two people one on the roof and one pushing it up the ladder.. That worked very well.

 

[workinonit]

Yea, the one thing you could try if you are so inclined is a Hot Shot kit. It's nothing more than a large capacitor that hooks parallel to the start cap and gives it a kick in the as*. The down side is if it doesn't work then you have a spare Hot Shot kit and a new AC unit. I've always been surprised at the success rate I had with Hot Shots. If it works you just leave it on there. They are about 20 bucks.

 

[workinonit]

Air conditioners look heavy but most weight in at less than 100 pounds (90 is common)

I used to go up a ladder with up to 3 60 pound bundles of shingles at one time (180 pounds)
I don't recommend that.. but I did it.

Last A/C replacement on mine they had two people one on the roof and one pushing it up the ladder.. That worked very well.

The one I replaced was 100 pounds. That's an awkward amount of weight to get 14' in the air.

 

[Onyrlef]

The one I replaced was 100 pounds. That's an awkward amount of weight to get 14' in the air.

It's a recipe for disaster, matter of fact.

 

[workinonit]

Absolutely. Without forks it's really unsafe to do.

 

[jymbee]

Absolutely. Without forks it's really unsafe to do.

And even with forks...

I've used the forks on our tractor a few times to do things on the roof of our coach. Usually secure a palette in place for extra stability. But as useful as having forks can be, one has to know what they're doing so to speak.

When around the coach using this setup I always use the creeper gear on the tractor and just nudge the hydraulics very slowly and typically have another person there to act as "spotter" as well. It would be easy enough to cause considerable with just one slip.

 

[CharlesinGA]

There are a multitude of RV videos showing people sliding an A/C up a ladder with a rope around it and someone pulling. I would not do it but I have a electric scissor lift so myself and a neighbor were able to easily set the unit on the floor of the lift and then went up and picked it up and put it on plywood on moving quilts on the roof. It was then easy enough to move the unit in place with me on the roof and my neighbor (tall guy) reaching out lifting the unit and me lifting from the other side, and getting it in place.

Charles

This is a good video with Jared Gillis installing a Furrion, but he admits he failed to video the getting it on the roof part, which he describes.

Here is a Houghton being installed using an electric hoist. Rather clever setup, again, lots of good info on the entire install process.

This lady pulls it up the ladder with a rope by herself and also it is a good install video. There are many more showing the rope and ladder method, usually with someone below it keeping it straight and walking it up taking some load off the person on the roof.

 

[CharlesinGA]

This video explains in detail the hoist and how it works. I thought it important enough to show in a second post (limited to 3 vids per post). I love this guy, he knows his stuff better than anyone I have ever seen.

And since I have the ability to post two more, lets see what we find.
Here is one where they use two ladders and two people carry it up. I would want harnesses for both people to help hold it, but if you can lift 50 to 60 lbs, each, have at it. (sounds easy but I'm 69 and realize I have lost a lot of upper body strength).
One word of caution. If you are on a rubber roof, be careful sliding the unit even in a box, onto the rubber, to not tear it. I use moving quilts from Harbor freight and thin plywood to spread the load out.

This is the unit I installed in my trailer, to small for you and not for ducts, but thought I'd throw it in to show the noise difference as I too had a loud Dometic that broke (thank goodness, no telling how long I would have endured that unit if it had not broke). Watch and listen, they do make quiet units.

Charles

 

[workinonit]

I can promise you one thing. The 15,000 that I installed alone there is no one that will pull it up a ladder 14' by themselves. I'm pretty sure it was just north of 100 pounds if memory serves. As far as the forks on my tractor, I put a pallet on them and put all my tools and the AC unit on it. It raised just high enough to clear the top. Then I climbed up my ladder and manhandled it in place. The unit I installed was very awkward because the frame pan metal was so thin it wanted to bend. That's where 2 people would have been good. Once in place I went down below and centered it over the opening.